Back in the USSR (delete SR)

Friday 17th April

There had been some suggestion of a return visit to Houston,in emails earlier this year but the definitive approval came while I was still in Thailand. I arrived home Wednesday morning and within 10 minutes of unpacking my suitcase was at the travel agents at the shopping centre across the road. The only reason I unpacked first was so that I could drop my library books off on the way.

After a number of discussions and decisions I am heading off next Friday around midnight, technically Saturday morning. Saturday is Anzac day, taking to 3 the number of public holidays I've missed this month, with Easter spent working in Thailand. Because of that our golf course is closed Saturday morning so instead of travelling Sunday as usual, I'm heading over a day earlier and possibly will get a game in once I arrive, before buckling down to work.

In order to get the cheaper Circle Pacific flight, I have to return via Hong Kong. They have asked me to allow 3 weeks so my plan is to fly out at 9 on the Saturday 3 weeks later, getting to San Francisco about 11 and then straight on to Hong Kong at 1-20am. This is the same flight as last time but without the day in SF playing tourist.

I had discovered that Cathay, who are part of the one world group that I can fly with on the ticket, also has a flight direct from HK to Perth. last time I flew that leg with Qantas which is an overnighter. The Cathay flight is much better, leaving at 3pm and getting in about 11. This means you are not trying to sleep on the plane and also you don't have to kill so much time between check out and departure. Originally I was planning to leave Houston at 9 on Sunday morning and take a day flight from SF to HK but this did not meet the require 24 hour minimum stopover.

When I got the quote, the international flight was about the same as last time but the domestic cost had gone up dramatically. I was raising this with the travel agent who had noticed it as well, when we realised that the cost was US$ based and the difference just reflected the exchange rate changes since last year. That does mean, in US$ terms the rest of my expenses have dropped by a third. It was till around $15k on my credit card with insurance and car hire added in.

I have also been giving a fairly clear message that if we are to continue these trips in the future, we need to get the enhancements completed in a timely manner to justify the costs. It may be a busy time once work starts.

I also got advised that dress codes have smartened up in the office but that jeans were OK but not shorts. I'm a bit confused about what I need to take to wear. I have also received some info on accommodation which will be in an apartment rather than the motel where I stayed last time. It looks ok from the brochure I was sent.

I'm looking forward to catching up with the people I've met before anf\d there are some new people that have joined since then. Should eb an interesting few weeks.